La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 120 of the 2001 volume:

Luxembourg te | Paris North Atlantic OcCtlll FRANCE Gene Bay of Biscay Bayonne y W Monaco Ylorence . ■■■■ ' ' ' mMgagpoRRA Ji ' it ' i Madrid S - Barcelona Balearic Sea MAJORCA CORSIC (FRANCE) ' 2 Rome ■ ' ■ ' !,-... : a ■ ' ■■. Maddalena Gaeta 6 •Lisbon - • PORTUGAL ' Valencia ■Pali SPAIN . t. ' - 7i« Rota. ; ,■£- c rr-, , Gibraltar (UK) Strait of (iium tar Algiers •v ' | SARDINIA ' : Tyrrhenian Sea Pale Tunis SICII •tff? Raba Casablanca - f MOROCCO ALGERIA TUNISIA Tripe ,  -J X :ech UBL1C IA SLOVAKIA Bratislava UKRAINE JA„ Budapest HUNGARY Zagreb BOSNIA- ' Belgrade HERZEGOVINA W . ROMANIA Bucharest ■• ■ ' , ' ■- -. Sarajevo SERBIA ; ; SofV BULGARIA .ima ranal %Wi£fL„ J , i % RUSSIA MO I I !(.R - ' M Black Sen 1 £u ALBAi IA cV i, . - ' . • , ' : S, ' Aegean • Istanbul ■ . . . Ji -- :■ .- ' - . .. _«? ,, - ■ -- ■ ' ' Ankara TURKEY ■ ■ ■ ? ■■ - - Ionian Sea . ... ' .y - ' ' J r .V- Athens .. - - ' ..( ' :■• ' ' ■?.;■! ■ ' ■ ■ ' ' ' ■ i r iri ' %%. ■ t - - , . flh: r ■■• adfTi ' i J. ' ' 0 etta TA tot jh ■ ■ CRETE Mediterranean Sea (Greece) Rhodes ' - ' Nicosia Sidra CYPRUS Beirm n Lebanon , Hai ,, SYRIA amascus Alexandria •k y . Amman ISRAEL fe salem Por. Said - : •;.- ' - SuezCat l , jORDAN Cairo LIBYA EGYPT Red Sea r - ' • ; -4 ■ m %r, u SS La Salle ixth Fleet Staff s Ou ED E_cz: El_ AA Ed El_ f C31 Facing travails and tragedy, USS La Salle and the Sixth Fleet Staff sailed through it all during the last half of the year. And through it all, we did it as a team. Together again. bove, below shore Task Force 60 is Sixth Fleet ' s Battle Force. It is com- posed of one or more aircraft carriers, each with an accom- pany ing complement of approximately six cruisers and de- stroyers. On board the aircraft carrier is an air wing of 65- 85 aircraft. The air wing is the primary striking arm of the Battle Force and includes attack, fighter, anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft. Ships accompanying the carrier serv e as defensive and offensive platforms with duties in- volving anti-air. surface and submarine warfare. In addition to its major role of controlling the seas, the battle force can also project its power over land. Task Force 6 1 is the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG). It is composed of approximately three amphibious ships and their embarked landing craft. From these ships. United States Marines ground forces can move ashore by sea and air in amphibious assault or emergency evacuation missions. Once ashore, the ships of Task Force 61 logistically support the ground forces, until the objective of the landing has been accomplished and the Marine forces return to the ships. Task Force 62 is the combat ready ground force com- posed of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of approxi- mately 1.800 Marines. Transported in Task Force 61 ships, the MEU is equipped with armor, artillery and transport he- licopters that enable it to conduct operations ashore or evacu- ate civilians from troubled areas. Task Force 63 is the Logistics Force. Composed of Oilers, provision ships and repair ships, its mission is the delivery of supplies at sea while effecting re- pairs to other ships. Task Force 66 69 is responsible for planning and coordinating area submarine and anti-submarine war- fare operation in the Mediterranean. Specifically, Task Force 69 is composed of attack submarines that pro- vide the capability to destroy enemy surface ships and submarines as well as protect other Sixth Fleet ships from attack. Task Force 67 is composed of land-based maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft operate over the waters of the Mediterranean in anti-submarine, reconnaissance, sur veillance and mining roles. Power This is the bicentennial year of the U.S. Navy ' s foreign presence. Two hundred years ago. President Thomas Jefferson sent a quadron of U.S. Navy ships to the Mediterra- nean. When the USS President, USS Essex. USS Philadelphia and USS Enterprise anchored in the Bay of Gibraltar on July I. 1801, those ships brought something truly honorable to the shores of Europe and North Africa -- not just the Ameri- can flag, but U.S. Sailors and Marines. More than 100 years later, during World War II. U.S. Naval forces were still active in the Mediterranean re- gion, supporting the Allied invasion of North Af- rica, amphibious landings in Sicily and southern Italy, the liberation of southern France, and engag- ing the enemy on the high seas from Gibraltar to Istanbul. In the years since, the U.S. Naval pres- ence in the Mediterranean and Black Seas has dem- onstrated a fundamental element of the defense strategies of the United States and North Atlantic- Treaty Organization (NATO). Commander. U.S. Sixth Fleet, responsible for all afloat U.S. Naval assets in the region, is also Commander. NATO for Peace Striking and Support Forces. Southern Europe. Today. Sixth Fleet ' s force structure typically consists of an aircraft carrier battle group, an am- phibious ready group with an embarked Marine Ex- peditionary Unit, and various support ships, land- based patrol aircraft and nuclear-powered attack sub- marines. Providing Strategic Stability in an Unstable World - The Sixth Fleet follows a Peacetime En- gagement Plan centering on exercises and operations [that promote interoperability and mutual cooperation lamong Mediterranean and Black Sea littoral nations. The men and women of the Sixth Fleet provided itimely and crucial military, logistical and humanitar- ian assistance in support of NATO operations in Kosovo during the Balkan crisis. Operation Allied Force. Joint Task Force Noble Anvil. Operation Shin- ing Hope and Operation Joint Guardian demonstrated Sixth Fleet resolve in deterring aggression. In the last decade alone, since the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. Sixth Fleet has responded decisively whenever a challenge to the region ' s sta- bility has arisen. For example, in September 1995 during Operation Deliberate Force. U.S. Naval forces operating in the Adriatic conducted sustained air op- erations against targets in the Balkan region. Mark- ing the first time Tomahawk land-attack cruise mis- siles were launched from Naval vessels in the Medi- terranean. Deliberate Force helped bring warring parties from Bosnia-Herzegovina to the peace table in Dayton. Ohio. Sixth Fleet was also involved in Operation Joint Endeavor, a maritime peace imple- mentation operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina from December 1995 through February 1996. The Sixth Fleet Navy and Marine Corps team took part in other operations as well, including Operation Assured Re- sponse, an evacuation of Americans caught in Liberia ' s civil war. and a non-combatant evacuation of U.S. citi- zens and other third-country nationals from Albania (Joint Task Force Silver Wake). The most recent example of Sixth Fleet ' s com- mitment to regional stability came during Operation Allied Force, during which Sixth Fleet Navy and Ma- rine Corps forces demonstrated contributed unmatched military might in support of NATO ' s air campaign, helping cease the violence and ethnic cleansing being inflicted on the people of Kosovo. Meanwhile. Sixth Fleet Sailors and Marines were in Albania providing humanitarian aid as part of Operation Shining Hope. When the air campaign concluded. Sixth Fleet Marines were the first U.S. forces in Kosovo to begin peace- keeping operations as part of Task Force Falcon and Operation Joint Guardian. Deterrent to Conventional War — A forward-de- ployed, global Navy and Marine Corps team supports U.S. national interests and serves as a deterrent to ag- gression. U.S. Naval presence in the Mediterranean is a fundamental element of the defense strategy of the United States and NATO. Sixth Fleet commands train routinely to maintain warfighting skills, ensuring their ability to respond immediately to tasking from higher authority. The U.S. Sixth Fleet participation in bilat- eral, multi-lateral and NATO alliance exercises is a key element of our naval operations in the region. The U.S. Sixth Fleet remains forward deployed and committed to peace and stability at the vital crossroads of the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Actively adopting a Power for fe ce doctrine. Sixth Fleet promotes peace- ful activities among maritime nations in the Mediter- ranean and Black Sea littoral area, ensuring stability, deterring aggression and. when necessary, responding decisively to any crisis erupting in the region. Fac [ t ae ad Marem As a forward-deployed unit. La Salle ' s primary mission is to provide flagship facilities and support to Commander. United States Sixth Fleet C ommander Striking and Support Forces. Southern Europe and his embarked staff. La Salle also supports the mission of Sixth Fleet and Strike Force South by fostering goodwill and understanding between the United States and Western Asian. Middle Eastern and Southern European Mediterranean countries through port visits and joint naval training exercises and operations. Additionally. La Salle provides logistical and other support to U.S. naval units assigned to Sixth Fleet. Homeported in Gaeta, Italy, La Salle is one of only two forward-deployed command ships in the Navy. Navy Designation. AGF 3 (formerly LPD 3) Vessel Type. Miscellaneous Command Ship Builder. New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, NY Keel Laid. Launched. Commissioned. Length. Beam. Draft. Displacement (full load Propulsion System. Propellers Speed. Armament April2. 1962 August 3, 1963 February 22. 1964 521 feet S4 feet 21 feet 13.900 tons Steam Turbine (600 psi) Two 20 Knots ( sustained ) 2 1.6 Knots (maximum) 2 Phalanx Close-in Weapons Systems Ship ' s Company. 470 enlisted and 31 officers The ship ' s crest combines features relal ing to the explorer, the city and the ship ' s mission. The upper right corner ■ ears the charges from the coat-of-arms of La Salle ' s family, an eight point star and a rabbit. The fori on the lower left side represents Fort St. Louis, which was built by La Salle in lri82 n the banks of the Illinois River. The elevated ground on which the fort stands is known as Starved Rock. The city of La Salle is not far from the site of this fort. The background an- chor symbolizes the Navy and the sea; the motto across the anchor ' s base. Facilitas Ad Marem. translates to Versatility at Sea. La Salle ' s namesake is the city of La Salle. Illinois, located in the prosperous agricultural and industrial Illinois River Valley in north- central Illinois. Founded in 1827 when the Illinois-Michigan Canal was planned, it was incorporated as a city in 1832. Abraham Lincoln enlisted in the Army at La Salle. The city has been a virtual crossroads of America, giving it a colorful history. Today, La Salle is a city of 120.000 citizens employed in the manufacturing of clocks and watches with abundant natural resources and a modern, progressive American community. teady, resolved ervice On February 22, 1964. USS La Salle was commissioned as an Amphibi- ous Transport Dock (LPD) of the Raleigh class. In 1965, she served as the flagship for Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Forces during the Dominican Crisis and participated in the evacuation of Construction Battalion Six from Guantanamo Bay. Cuba, during the Cuban Misslc Crisis. In 1966, La Salle became the first ship of her size to successfully recover and return a Project Gemini space capsule to Cape Canaveral. During 1969, La Salle served as the test platform for the prototype AV-8 Harrier VTOL fighter- bomber. In January. 1 972. after an extensive overhaul. La Salle was designated as a Miscellaneous Command Ship ( AGF) and assumed duties for Commander. Middle East Force. Painted white to reflect the hot sun, The Great White Ghost of the Arabian Coast steamed an average of 55.000 miles annually call- ing on ports in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In 1979. La Salle assisted in the evacuation of 260 American and foreign national civilians from the Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas and became the focal point of U.S. activity in the Persian Gulf at the outset of the Iranian Hos- tage Crisis. In November 1980, La Salle was relieved by USS Coronado and returned stateside for the first time in 8 1 2 years. Upon arrival, she began a major overhaul adding an extensive electronics and communications package and replacing two 3 50 gun mounts with the MK 15 Close-in Weapons Sys- tems (CIWS). La Salle returned to the Arabian Gulf and assumed flagship duties for COMIDEASTFOR in June 1983. In 1984, La Salle embarked three CH-53 helicopters to conduct minesweep operations in the Red Sea in response to attempts to disrupt the free passage of shipping. In the beginning of 1986, La Salle conducted contingency operations off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden during the country ' s civil war. In May 1987, La Salle provided the primary Fire Fighting Rescue Assis- tance and crew support to USS Stark following the Iraqi missile attack. In Sep- tember 1987, La Salle acted as the launch platform for the assault on the Iranian minelaying vessel Iran Ajr . Crews and assault craft from La Salle conducted the assault on the vessel and effected the detention of its crew while La Salle ' s prize crews manned Iran Ajr . In January 1991, La Salle assumed the responsibility of com- manding and coordinating the multi-national Maritime Intercept Force during Operation Desert Shield. During Operation Desert Storm. La Salle returned to the United States to begin a 1 7-month overhaul in preparation for its next assignment as the Sixth Fleet flagship. During the overhaul. La Salle received extensive upgrades to its communications, and command and control capabilities. A floating barge, utilized as crew living quarters and an office complex, was fitted into the well deck and upper vehicle of the flagship in order to support the staff of Sixth Fleet during La Salle ' s newest assignment as the Sixth Fleet Flagship. Since assuming responsibilities as flagship on November 8, 1994. La Salle has proudly served throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas in her role of supporting COMSIXTHFLT and Strike Force South. Additionally. La Salle s diplomatic role fosters goodwill and understanding between the United States and Western Asian, Middle Eastern and Southern Euro- pean Mediterranean countries. In 2001, La Salle and the Sixth Fleet staff left homeport a number of times, making port visits early in the year to Gibraltar: Casablanca. Morocco; Malaga, Spain. During the middle of the year. La Salle conducted a three month maintenance period in Malta, returning to Gaeta on July 3. Home 5weet The 500-member crew of USS La Salle re- turned to their homeport July 3 after a $6.6 million, three-month maintenance period in Malta. It also marked the rejoining of the La Salle Sixth Fleet staff team. More than 725 different jobs were completed between Malta Drydocks. USS Emory S. Land and USS La Salle. The yard period included repairs and upgrades literally from bow to stern. External work included an overhaul of the anchor windlass gear, installa- tion of a new rubber-hulled inflatable boat and crane and replacement of the ship ' s boat and aircraft crane. The ship ' s stern gate was removed and steel plating put in its place. Essential maintenance re- pairs were carried out to the ship ' s power plant. Several major steam valves in the two main engine rooms were replaced or overhauled, as were the force draft blowers, which feed air into the ship ' s main engines. As an amphibious command ship, and the Sixth Fleet Flag Ship. La Salle has some of the most advanced communication and navigation systems in the Navy. Communication upgrades were made to the ship ' s internal phone system, e-mail and Internet. Navigation upgrades included a new laser gyrocompass system which was installed in Malta and tested enroute to Gaeta. Lite on La Salle usually wasn ' t usually easy or slow-paced. Life in Gaeta, however, was. For the most of us who came from the United States to Italy, getting used to the pace of living in Gaeta took some time. There were ways, however, to help ease into La Dolce Vita, the sweet life. First, start your morning off atTristina ' s for a cappucino and cornetto. Many Sailors started off this way and it ' s just what the dottore ordered to get a jump on the day. Work. Not usually easy, but not too cGife overwhelming. Especially after La Salle crewmembers surviving the shipyard envi- rons of Malta, away from our families, no place to be alone and no Golden Triangle of Vic ' s. Anna ' s and Rendevous. These were the places to retreat to after work for a few drinks and something to eat. Vic ' s is where most of us got our start on real Ital- ian food and Rendezvous was where the gut- bomb subs may still linger in some of us. As sleepy a fishing town as Gaeta is. there was still a lot to be discovered. You could get a Guinness at Lupo di Mare; you could get Chinese in Gaeta, too. though most of us went to Scauri for that. Dancing at Camelot ' s; shooting pool at Cino ' s, get- ting pizza by the meter at Pizzeria Rustica in Piccolo Alley while waiting for Sarto, the American Tailor to finish sewing on a patch were all part of our new Italian-influenced life. And if you ever needed a little fast- paced action in your life, there was always the driving. ' • . X iv. In For immediate release: The Sixth Fleet flagship USS La Salle departed its homeport of Oraeta, Italy, August 6, for a month-long deployment to the Black Sea. La Salle and embarked Sixth Fleet staff personnel will be making short visits to the following Black Sea and Mediterranean ports: Istanbul, Turkey Novorossyisk, Russia Sevastopol, Ukraine Constanta, Romania Varna , Bulgaria Souda Bay, Crete Black Sea •NLJGiLJ. , In August: Impressive, International, Islamic, Incredibly Interesting. Indisputably La Salle anchored at what could be easily described as the crossroads of Hast and West: Istanbul. Europe on one side. Asia on the other; to the north, the Bosphorus and the Black sea: to the south, the Dardanelles and the Med. Istanbul is an assault on the senses. The Blue Mosque, the 30 million gold mosaic tiles on Ay a Sofia, the green of the city ' s many parks, and of course everywhere is the bright red Turkish national flag. Also, the smell of sizzling kebabs mixes with a generous serving of car horns ami vehicles fumes and served five times a day. a musselin calling out the time lor prayer from a nearby minaret. Istanbul was the right port for our first stop: wallets were full and storage space was still empty. The grand bazaar lived up to its name tor everything from jewelry to leather bags and jackets. Istanbul was a shopper ' s paradise. Once these few days were complete, though, another surprised awaited: the transit through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. X tcvfaA S£ X kavfaA w ovoros siysk, Russia Novorossiysk, which means new Russia. is a new city even by U.S. standards. Founded in 1 838 as a fortress for the Czar. During World War II. the city ' s struggle against Nazi forces earned it the title Hero City. As we entered Russian waters, were escorted by the Krivak II Frigate Plytivvny. our host ship. La Salle ' s visit to Novorossiysk began with the traditional bread and salt ceremony on the pier. Once off the ship. Sailors quickly learned the ins and outs of the ruble. Russia ' s currency, and key phrases in the Russian language. Matroshki, the dolls inside of dolls, were popular purchases. As with most ports La Salle visits, liberty wasn ' t the only thing on deck. During the visit. La Salle and Sixth Fleet personnel joined with Rus- sian military and civilian officials in laying a wreath at a city memorial while others took part in a com- munity relations project at the Novorossiysk Children ' s Home. ■Jl fcAj l— — - -- ; -f - i. _ ' - Oil „ .g r ovorossiysk, Russia MONIMENT , MyPRQ5H4 l yWT MORE From With Times have definitely changed. For many on La Salle and Sixth Fleet staff, the thought of actually exercising with a Russian ship would have been un-imaginable only a do en years ago. But then so would have a port visit to Mother Russia. We did them both. La Salle and its Russian host ship the Krivak Il-elass Frigate Pytlivy. wrapped up their time together by participating in a passing exercise or PASSEX. a short duration exercise of opportunity between two or more ships. The exercise included maneuvering drills, live fire exercises, an exchange of officers and practice with tactical signals. Speaking the previous evening. Vice Adm. Gregory Johnson said As professional naval officers, there is no better way to demonstrate mutual respect than to operate together at sea. Krivak II frigate :he Krivak I class ASW frigate ntered service with the Soviet Navy n 1970, with the Krivak II entering ervice between 1 976 and 1981. There s also a Krivak III. They were lesigned as an ASW frigate, but in 978 were redesignated as patrol hips. Missiles: SSM - 8 SS-N-25 (2 quad) !AM -2 SA-N-4 Gecko twin launch- es A S - SS-N-I 4 Silex quad auncher; pay load nuclear or Type E53 orpedo. juiis: 4 - 3 in (76 mm) 6() (2 twin) 2 3.9 in (100 mm) 59 2 - 30 mm 65. torpedoes: 8-21 in (533 mm) (2 |uad) tubes. Type 53. VS Moil: 2 RBU 6000 12-Tubed. Decoys: 4 or 10 Chaff Launchers, fowed Torpedo Decoy. Il vw tr £ Gream oj ilia | Crimea The Sixth Fleet flagship lit eralh anived in Sevastopol with a bang. A 2 1 -gun ang. that is. La Salle performed lie traditional salute with the Jkranian Navy while entering the arbor. This was La Salle ' s first visit d the Black Sea Region since 998. Exactly 200 years ago. in le summer of 1801. President ' homas Jefferson sent the first quadron of United States Navy hips to Europe and the Mediter- mean. said Vice Adm. Johnson ) members of the Ukrainian me- ia who visited La Salle shortly fter arriving in Sevastopol. To- ay. Sailors and Marines of the ixth Fleet continue to be uniquely effective ambassadors for America. We ' re here providing forward presence in support of peace and stability, not only for the United States but for the entire re- gion. As with all the Black Sea ports. Sixth Fleet hosted a recep- tion on the flight deck for local military and civilian dignitaries. The visit provided the crew with some good liberty and shop- ping. As with all of our ports. La Salle and Sixth Fleet staff person- nel took some of their personal time to give to the community. Thirty-one Sailors joined with two American Peace Corps volunteers in cleaning up a local elemental} school. During the visit some Sixth Fleet staff members held staff talks with Ukranian Navy staff, which were held in all of the Black Sea ports. Other La Salle and Staff personnel took part in a wreath-laying at a monument dedicated to those who died fighting the Nazis during World War II. Sevastopol is renown for its history. said Irina Borisova, guide for the Legend- ary Sevastopol tour offered by MWR. Most people read about our history in high school textbooks, but here you can touch, feel and see history. Historic art. archi- tecture and monuments decorate the Ukrai- nian port city and draw thousands of tour- ists to the area each year. The American Sailors made a good impression on me. said Borisova. I could tell from their reaction ... that they had great respect for and interest in history. Romania is rich in culture and natural resources, but it has long been one of Europe ' s poorest and least developed nations. But during our visit to Constanta, we got to see some of these riches peek through; from a trip to Transylvania - home of Vlad Tepid, aka Dracula, to tours of Bucharest and Constanta. As was typical with a La Salle port visit, staff and ship ' s company used a broad interpretatio o ' liberty. Some went sightseeing, some shopped, and some served oth- ers. Volutneers went to Casa Speranta. a home for Ro- manian children with AIDS. It shows that we are people who do care and who are regular people. We also get to interact with children who don ' t have many people to in- teract with, and that ' s satisfying. said ITSN Christopher Hegg of Fairbanks. Ala. It shows that we are people who do care and who are regular people. We also get to inter- act with children who don ' t have many people to interact with, and that ' s satisfying. ! 8 CV n v ■ . . . ■• - .-■ M ulgaria. Who would have ever thought have been the last jewel in the crown that was B Bulgaria would be so cool. Only nine hours sailing from Constanta, we moored n Varna as a dull orange sun set in die distance. it seemed fitting as it was die last of our actual Black Sea port visits. But with beaches and tree- lined boulevards, McDonalds and waterslides, Varna seemed to cap the trip lo a tee. It may our time in die Black Sea. but il certainly was iinc of the shiniest. Bulgaria. Who would have ever thought. gjmjj In the waning days of the cruise, we made one lasi port visit to Souda Bay, Crete. The Black Sea seemed closer to civilization than the pier at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. But IV1WR came to the rescue again and we were able to go to the support activity or in to Chania. This visit allowed La Salle and Sixth Fleet staff personnel the opportunity to use the Greek drachma, the world ' s oldest currency, for the last time ever. Like the lira, the drachma is out as of Jan. I. 2002. being replaced by the common European Union currency, the euro. Souda Bay allowed eveyrone some time to relax ... away from the official protocol of the Black Sea ports, away from the staff talks, away from flight deck schmoozes. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, around 162 miles by 3 1 miles. On the boundary between Europe and Africa, it is an island full of contrasts - of mountains and plains, fertile plateaux and rocky scrubland, ancient villages and modern resorts. :§$? mm OBIS; y H — flans il j rvpoz GIRO Crete is full of shopping and splendor. This is the home of Zorba the Greek and the ancient city of Knossos, where the Minoans built their first palace around 1900 b.c. Chania proved to be the perfect place to drink, dine and dance an evening away. Home Cmdr. Patrick Du Tl(SW) Ronald Hemenway A. sira September 1 1 , 2001 mJHm « % T J$plPt K v merica is attacked and USS La Salle heads out to sea unexpectedly, duration unknown. It wasn ' t just those of us who had friends or family in New York City or at the Pentagon who were affected. It was all of us. In- stead of attacking with conventional weapons, terrorists used airplanes filled with fuel and people. La Salle loses two former shipmates: Cmdr. Patrick Dunn, former executive of- ficer;, and ETl(SW) Ronald Hemenway, formerly of Communi- cations Department. America grieves and so do we. mi There was a little time to react, later some time to ref lect, and hen time to preapre after the iept. 1 1 attacks. La Salle ;ets underway on the 12th; JSS Emory S. Land leaves he night before. We become art of a surface action ;roup. steaming with com- atants and support ships iround the Mediterranean, tot knowing where we ' re ;oing nor how long we ' ll be ;one. Tensions in America ire high, tensions on board ire, too. Many learn their riends and loved ones are safe, some don ' t. Slowly, hings begin to sort them- selves out and La Salle re- urns to Gaeta. only at an in- creased security posture, rhe sense of safety that we nought the United States nainland once had is gone. We all make the unwelcome transition into a new world. mira Vice Adm. Gregory Johnson was relieved by Vice Adm. Scott Fry as Sixth Fleet and Naval Strik- ing and Support Forces Southern Europe commander during a formal change of command on the flight deck October 23. A day later, Adm. Johnson takes the helm as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Allied Forces South- em Europe in Naples. I must thank the Sixth Fleet and Striking Forces South staffs. They are the rising tide that has lifted and inspired me, said Johnson. Selfless dedication and uncompromising professionalism are their signatures. I also want to acknowledge the wonderful support we receive each day from USS La Salle. naasus- j 3 el j I ess dedication and uncemfi misin hmessiendism ane Mei t siqndunes. txAm CD r r j i j i vj For the first time since the Sept. I I attacks. I. a Salic makes a port visit. This time. it ' sToulon, which brought back interest- ing memories lor some of a yard period long gone. Most of us, however, just enjoyed the liberty. We were in France for a good reason, though, to use the degauss- ing range, hopefully keeping us immune to magnetic mines. Then, on the way back, we ran into the French carrier Charles de Gaulle conducting flight ops. ■ — ku year ior i SS La Salle and the Sixth Fleet staff ended the year get- ing of the M V Hajji Rahmeh about 75 miles northwest lg ready for a new mission. It wasn ' t long into January of Cyprus. Additionally, USS La Salle ' s RHIB crew fore we were at sea again, preparing for maritime inter- was instrumental in completing the extraction of Navy ption operations. Then, on Jan. 27. we teamed with Sixth personnel from the Hajji Rahmeh. It was a new year eet units USS Hayler and USS Ross for a compliant board- for us, and definitely a new mission for La Salle. The end of the year on La Salle wasn ' t as laxing as most had hoped; September 1 1 th h; guaranteed that. For staff and crew, work vv- continuing both inside and outside the ship — the mc obvious of which being the removal of the big to But not all the work was operational. Final touch! were being put on the well deek basketball court ari on Jan. 1 1 . Billy Blanks helped with the grand ope: ing. Only three days later. La Salle left Gaeta aga for unknown duration. As the year changed so h; our mission. But at least we were ... 2 J We tbe peopl Sixth Fleet staff and the crew of USS La Salle Vice Admiral Scott Fry was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He received his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971 and served successive tours at sea in USS McCloy (FF 1038), USS Grand Rapids (PG 98), USS Julius A. Furer (FFG 6) and on the staff of Destroyer Squadron Four. He commanded USS McCloy, USS Conolly (DD 979), Destroyer Squadron Thirty-two, Cruiser-De- stroyer Group Eight and Eisenhower Battle Group. He deployed to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea. and Arabian Gulf. Ashore, Vice Admiral Fry served in the Bureau of Naval Person- nel, United States Naval Academy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, on the Staff of Com- mander Allied Forces Southern Europe, and as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. His first assignment as a flag officer was Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. His most recent assignment was Director for Operations, Joint Staff (J-3) and as Director of the Joint Staff. He assumed com- mand of United States Sixth Fleet on October 23, 2001. Vice Admiral Fry has been awarded the De- fense Distinguished Service Medal (two awards). Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal, and various campaign and service awards. SStVi Admiral Johnson is a native of Westmanland, Maine. He graduated from the Uni- ;rsity of Maine and was commissioned in 1969. His initial sea duty assignment was in A-66 flying the A-7E Corsair II and deploying in USS Independence. Subsequent }uadron and sea duty assignments included VA-86 (USS Nimitz); VA-174; Executive ■peer and Commanding Officer of VA-105 (Marine Air Group Twelve and USS orrestal); Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Six (USS Forrestal); and Commander, airier Air Wing Three (USS Eisenhower). Shore duty assignments included: Command and Staff Course. Naval War College graduating with highest distinction); Systems Analysis Division (OP-96) of the Office f the Chief of Naval Operations; F A-18 A-7 Readiness Officer on the staff Commander aval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet: Joint Chiefs of Staff as Head of the European ommand Central Command Branch of the Joint Operations Division (JOD), Operations ' irectorate (J-3): and Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Execu- ve Assistant to the Chairman. Admiral Johnson was selected for flag rank in February 1995. His initial flag ssignment was as the Director of Operations, Plans, and Policy (N3 N5) on the Com- lander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff. In February 1996, he reported as Commander, ' airier Group Eight USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group where he served until Au- ust 1997. In September 1997 he reported as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy ecretary of Defense and was subsequently assigned as the Senior Military Assistant to le Secretary of Defense in May 1999. Admiral Johnson ' s previous assignment was ' ommander, U.S. Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe. Admiral Johnson ' s decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished ervice Medal (with two Bronze Oak Leafs), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of lerit (with two Gold Stars), Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Meritorious Service ledal (with two Gold Stars), Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achieve- lent Medal, and various service and campaign awards. M Captain Ryan was born in Wilmington, Del., and. earned a Bachelor of Science degre in Business Administration from Shippensburg State University. Shippensburg. Peni Following commissioning in 1975. he served at sea for the next eight years. His initi; assignment was aboard USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG 5) as assistant to the chief of sta; for Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two. His follow-on sea duty was aboard USS Lawreno (DDG 4) in Norfolk, Va., as gunnery officer and ASW officer. Subsequent sea tours include USS Aylwin (FF1081 ) and USS Spartanburg County (LST 1 192). He was then assignedt Naval Military Personnel Command (NMPC 4) as surface officer detailer and then surfac sea coordinator. From July 1985 to July 1987, he served as Naval aide to the Commandai of the Marine Coips in Washington. D.C. Captain Ryan served as Executive Officer, USS Hairy W. Hill (DD 986) homeporte in San Diego, Calif., from November 1987 to August 1989. He then served as Depufi Director and Was hington Placement Officer, assigned to Restricted Line Staff Coips Office Distribution and Special Placement Division (PERS 44), Washington, D.C. From Octobe 1991 to Oct 1993, Captain Ryan served as commanding officer of USS Callaghan (DD 994). Upon completion of his Command tour. Captain Ryan attended the Naval War Colleg and was awarded a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Fror November 1995 to May 1997 Captain Ryan assisted in the developmem was a Principal Author and initial instructor at the Commani Leadership School, Newport R.I. Captain Ryan then served a Destroyer Squadron Seven and Sea Combat Commander (SCO for the Constellation Battle Group from August 1997 to Marc 1999. Before his arrival at Sixth Fleet. Captain Ryan served z Executive Assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff. Captain Ryan has been awarded the Defense Superic Service medal. Legion of Merit. Meritorious Service Medal: the Joint Service Commendation medal. Navy Commendatio medals. Navy Achievement Medals, and various Campaig and Service Medals. ON Captain Jim Stevenson was raised in Nedham, Mass., and Alexandria, Va. He was com- issioned in 1976 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Coips at Tulane University ere he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He has served in a broad range of operational, staff and command billets. Operational tours at sea include two Mediterranean deployments and one Indian Ocean id northern Europe deployment on USS Richard L. Page (FFG 4) as electronics warfare ficer. anti-submarine warefare officer and first lieutenant; a northern European deployment ; part of the Standing Naval Forces Atlantic, and a rescue mission to Grenada as commission- g combat systems officer, then engineer officer, on USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34); and a Medi- rranean deployment in support of Operations Desert Shield and Storm as executive officer of SS Spruance (DD 963). Shore and staff assignments include the Naval Postrgraduate School in Monterey, Calif, jhere he earned a Masters of Science Degree in Information Systems Management; combat sterns officer for Destroyer Squadron Eight in Mayport, Fla.. Military Secretariat, Logistics irectorate (J4) on the Joint Staff; and deputy assistant chief of staff and assistant chief of staff r the United States Naval Forces Central Command Commander United States Fifth Fleet in ahrain. Command experience includes: Commanding officer of USS Engage (MSO 433); com- landing officer of USS Spruance (DD 963) and commodore of Destroyer Squadron Fifteen, rward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. Upon completion of his tour as commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen in February 2001 . apt. Stevenson reported as the Sixth Fleet chief of staff in Gaeta, Italy. Captain Stevenson has been awarded the Legion of Merit Medal (two awards), Defense leritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). Navy chievement Medal (two awards) and various service and campaign awards. OOAA r jcD F Carlf W F Command Master Chief Petty Officer (SS SW AW) Carl Preston Weaver, Jr., a Man land native, graduated from Williamsport High School, Williamsport. Md., in June 197t In May 1986, he graduated Magna cum Laude with a Bachelor ' s of Arts degree at Coi necticut State University. In June 1988. he completed post-graduate studies at Connectici College. In July 1998, he graduated with distinction from the Navy Senior Enlisted Acac emy. Enlisting in the Navy in 1977, Master Chief Weaver reported aboard USS Gato (SSN 615) in February 1979. In August 1983 he reported to Submarine School. Groton, Conn as fast-attack navigation division leading chief petty officer (LCPO) and instructor. In Jul 1986, Master Chief Weaver reported aboard USS Helena (SSN 725) where he first serve as the ship ' s Electronics Division LCPO Division Officer and later as the navigation op erations department LCPO. After his selection as Chief of the Boat (COB), he traveled t San Diego in May 1990 as USS Portsmouth (SSN 707) COB. In October 1992, Master Chief Weaver was selected to become Command Mastfi Chief for Submarine Squadron Eleven in San Diego. Calif. While there, he served on th Fiscal Year 1995 E-8 E-9 Selection Board, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy ' Leadership Continuum Committee and developed the new Chief of the Boat Qualificatio Program. In May 1995, Master Chief Weaver reported as Command Master Chief of the air phibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). His tour included tw deployments to the Arabian Gulf. Selected as the CNO-directed Command Master Chk for Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC). he reporte to MSC Headquarters, Washington, D.C.. in July 1998. In May 2001 , he reported as the Command Master Chk for Commander, United States Sixth Fleet. Master Chief Weaver ' s personal awards include the Men torious Service Medal (Gold Star), Navy Commendatio Medal (2 Gold Stars) and the Navy Achievement Medal ( Gold Stars). He also serves on the Board of Governors of th National Military Family Association. NOO Front Office ( DR Phil Vance ( DR Maureen Kenneth Agent .Id nes Rivera MAl(SW) Travis Winfield YN2 Jamie Jordan YN3 Jen Lease Toni Matheny G Representative Windy Jay Springs Science ami Technology Advisor CAPT David Schorn Flag Administration Officer Flag Admin YNC(SW) Elois Alder YNQSW AW) Rudy Harrell Jr. DK1 Enrique Cabrera YN1 Cynthia Rosado I ' NI Marcelino Tagle LCDR Janus Ellis LCDR Haritna Isci Flag Intel LCDR Robert Kettle LCDR Charles Pratt ' T SS |P iCj Jm A II Anthony Bulera II Jeffrey Jakuboski II ( n Ins Plazas Jr. CAP! Greg Strong Mr. Robert Hiott Mr. I P. Roa ISC(SW) Steve Mi V al CTOC Kevin Whitehead CT01 Mathew Althafer IS! Anthony Costantino IS It AW) Matthew Courtois IS I Matthew Dubois V y Jl£ji ■HR r  ■  • m CTMl(SW) Vernon Hale CTOl(SW) Charles Kaiser ISl(SW) .hue Phillips [SI Michael Rouse IS I John Zermeno IS2 Man Ann Dailies CTM2 Robert Gavin CTM2 Taxthon Jenkins CT02 Matthew Kopc yru ( TA2 ( ' Inn Irs Mossbargd IS2 Kevin Schiele CIO 2 Steven Topp ISSA Robert Boutwell CTOSN Tremaine Brown ISSN Rodney Edwards ISSR Cash Herndon ISSN Jason McCasland ISSN John Miller ISSN Joe Nelson CTOSN David Pern- CDR Steven Adams CDR Robert Kiser CAPT Jazz Leaver ACQS for Operations CDR James Nault CDR Aladar Nesser CDR William Pinto CDR Michael Rogers ( I )R John Snyder CDR Robert Wiegert I. CDR Robert Bodvake LCDR Daniel Bomarth IX DR Daryl Davis LCDR Pete Galluch LCDR Brian Koehr LCDR Paul Kopplin LCDR Walter Otl LCDR Richard Radic LCDR Elizabeth ThomasS Mr. Jeffrey Brainerd Mr. George Ellcnbaasi OSCM(SW) Richard Kenney FCCS(SW) Adam Morgan CTRCS(SW) Joseph Rakoczy QMC(SW) Anthony Bastidas AGC(SW) Trov Coonie OSC(SW) Phil Heidi FCC(SW) Kevin Purlin EWC(SW) Steven Showalter OSQSW AW) John Whitley CTR1 Kyle Bulthuis CTR1 Michael Disch CTR1 Robert Evans CTTI(SW) Abel Griego OSl(SW) James Herrin CTTl(SW) Patrick Jackson cm Nolan Knoblock RVMU I Jeffrey McPherson AGl(SW) John Meyer CTTl(SW) RaxmonJ Montniinr 1 ' ■  B JC A( ! I Daniel M OSl(SW) Lawrence Nichols YNI Frederick Radei OSI(SW) Karim Shiv |i OS 2 David Barret OS2(SW) Joscnh Bol OS2(SW) John Caron OS2 Michael Can AG2 Joseph Ceru CTR2 Eric Clark CTT2 Julio Franco CTT2 Gary Frye 0S2(SW i Joseph Heingarten 0S2(SW) Darvl Hickman 0S2(SW) Michael Huber AG2(SW) Taylor Hudson OS2(SW) Angela Jackson DM2(SS) Michael Johnson 0S2(SW) Gregorj Kemper YN2 Martha Moon U4bi 0S2(SW i Keh in 1 ' lnlhps CTT2 Mark Priti heti 0S2 Mk hael Simmon OS2(SW i Charles Smith OS2 Heather Smith OS 2 Jod Wiemers CTT2 Chervl Wells DM? Jason Diiwcll OS3 Kenneth Kline OS3(SW) Eric Kerr CTR3 Evona Quails SN Richard Abston AGAN Collin Evans BMSN(SW) Levar Hicks SN Benjamin Nwajei SN Eric Peterson CTTSN Ryan Pozar SN Elmest Riveriaguzman SN Chnstoper Wagner CTRSN Jason Waldroup ' - 1 CAPT J. Michael Marmnlei CDR Thomas O ' Dowd I I Michael Powell MSC(SW) Bernie Delacruz SKC(SW) Na aran Nichols Sr. MSI Rodnej Kayes MSl(SW) Nestor Solomon MSI Travis Swatsworth MS2 Damn Anderson MS 2 Jeremy Colton MS2(SW) Antelmo Deleon Ross Stewart MS3 Timothy Edman MS 3 Michael Hanford MS3(SW) Ravmon Keefauver MS 3 lied Perez What was your favorite Black Sea port and why? HT3 Wesley Deckard Russia. I didn ' t think we ' d ever go there because we didn ' t have good re- lations with them, but now we do. SN Christian Morgan Ukraine, as it had the best mix. of mod- ern nightlife and his- toric culture. But it still didn ' t compare to a WestPac. YNC(SW) Elois Alder 1 don ' t remember many of them as 1 had the chiefs train- ing. The best was when we went to Pizza Hut because we got to relax, had free time and didn ' t have any pressure. LT Anthony Dallesandro Sevastopol was a really fabulous place as there were a lot of fine-looking women. It was the main reason it made it as a great port. SH3 ElnnyJon Sison MS 3 Christophei Tone) SKSN Kenneth Bibbs SHSN Curtis Fow lei COL John Holden iLJ AC ' OS lor Plans CDR Steven Giuliani MAJ Craia Linderman tl 1 o 1 .iC5 1 CDR George Matthesen i MA J U4 aJi Mitf Richard Nehls IT lohn Koble SGI Martin Benavidez as N-6 JrafiBr CDR Patrick Moonej MAJ Lawrence Nathan LT Paul Monn ITCS(SW) Robert Medina ITC(SW) Vernon Mills ITC(SW) Azalia Teeter ITC(SW) Christopher Vance 1TKSW) Michael Butler ITl(SW) Rotonna Cornelius Andrew Beadermar IT2 Robert Bigbj III IT2(SW) Tommv Brown 1 1 Katie Clark IT2 lerem) Kellej Damien Williams Force Protection CDR Gregory Bill) Force Protection Officer CDR Stephen Dorff OSl(SW) Michael McCreary Chaplain Chaplain (CDR) Maurice Kaprovv Chaplain (LCDR) Matt Lee RPC(SW FMF) Luisito Pontigon RPUFMF) Anthony Spencer RP3 Julio Barren uela vPTJern, Rose :et Surgeon LCDR Ro Henderson HMCS Walter McCo) HM1 Jellies Medlin Judge Advocate 3R Erie Geiser eet Jud«e Advocate LNl(SW) Steve Crowston Public Affairs I CDR Nicholas Balic JOC A I Bloom JOl(SW) Jason Thompson J02 Alyssa Batarla ph: Paul Phelps J02 Cody Wassmann JO? Jason Perry Sixth Fleet Band LT Rick Bailey MUCS Douglas Rhode Mil Gordon Pantalone MU2 Nate Bissell MU2 Brad Blam hard MU2 Chris ( ' ornette Ml 2 Eric Desantis .vie: NateGoebel MU2 Geordie Kell) MU2 Greg Markowski ML ' 2 Trevor Spaulding ML ' 2 Dylan Thompson MU3 Shane Alcock MU3 Sam De La Ri ; ML ' 3 Rud Estrada ML ' 3 Brian Hendricks MU3 Jose Hernandez MU3 Jason Johnson ML ' 3 J I in Murdock MU3 John Presto MU3 Jeremy Robinson MU3 Chris Sams MU3 Drew Stapp MUSN Brian Forte 0® ft i CZ I— IARL El : CD AA AA f J CDI l l CS A native of Branchville, New Jersey, Captain Hautau graduated meritoriously froi the United States Naval Academy in 1978. Upon completion of flight training in July 198; he was designated a Naval Aviator and reported to Attack Squadron Forty Two Gret Pawns for follow on training in the A-6E Intruder. In April 1981 he reported to Attac Squadron Sixty Five, and completed two Mediterranean deployments while embarked ( USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). In July 1984. he reported to Training Squadrc Nine, NAS Meridian, Mississippi as Squadron Landing Signals Officer (LSO), and in 9i was recognized as VT-9 ' s Instructor of the Year and Chief of Naval Aviation Training LSO of the Year. Captain Hautau ' s next tour was with the Blue Blasters ' of Attack Squadron Thir Four from 1987 until 1990, completing another two deployments on USS Eisenhower, an participating in the opening stages of Operation Desert Shield as squadron Operations Office Reporting to Attack Squadron Forty Two as a Fleet Replacement Instructor, he was reassign?, to Attack Squadron Thirty Five Black Panthers after the loss of aircrew during Operatic Desert Storm. He participated in numerous strikes from the decks of the USS Saratov (CV-60) during the duration of the conflict. Upon his return to VA-42 in April, 1991. 1 served as squadron Operations Officer and COMMATWING One Chief of Staff unt July 1992. After completion of Naval War College in 1993, he retume to VA-34 as Executive Commanding Officer, participating i Operations Joint Endeavor (Bosnia-Herzogovina) and Vigilai Warrior (Southwest Asia) while deployed on USS Georj Washington (CVN-73). In October 1995, he reported to the Offk of the Secretary of Defense. Readiness Programming an Assessment, where he served as the U.S. Navy analyst for a wic variety of DOD readiness issues. In November 1 997 he was selecte and commenced Naval Nuclear Propulsion training, and upc completion reported to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71 ) in Me 999 as Executive Officer, participating in combat Operations Allie Force Noble Anvil (Kosovo) and Southern Watch (Southwest Asia Q xe-C lj-tix i LCDR Ward is a native of Binghamton, N.Y. He was commissioned an ensign the United States Navy through the NROTC program at Boston University, where ; earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. His first sea tour was onboard USS Roanoke (AOR 7) in Long Beach. Calif., here he served as EMO, Fire Control Officer, and First Division Officer. Upon )mpletion of that tour, LCDR Ward transferred to San Diego and served as Battery ontrol Officer in USS England (CG 22). Upon completion of the Department Head training pipeline. LCDR Ward re- eled to USS Supply (AOE 6) as Operations Officer. During his tour the ship langed homeport from Norfolk, VA to Earle, N.J. His second department head tour as as Operations Officer in USS Austin (LPD 4) in Norfolk, VA. LCDR Ward re- tted onboard USS La Salle (AGF 3) 12 December 2000. LCDR Ward ' s first shore tour was in Washington D.C. at the Bureau of Naval srsonnel as a Rating Assignment Officer and Enlisted Community Manager. Most :cently he completed a tour as Flag Secretary for Commander, Amphibious Group wo at NAB Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. C OA-Y r jcD WlLLIAn A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, and a graduate of Breckinridge County High Schoo Master Chief Clouse joined the Navy in July 1980. After completion of recruit training,! attended apprentice training in Orlando, Florida. His first tour was aboard USS Orion (A 18), homeported in La Maddalena, Italy. In August 1984, he transferred to Nisida Island Boat Pool in Naples, Italy, as: Second Class Petty Officer. In September 1987, he reported to Auxiliary Pipeline C School in San Diego, California, as a First Class Petty Officer. After graduation, r transferred to USS Deyo (DD 989), homeported in Charleston. South Carolina. He qualifie Engineering Officer of the Watch and was selected for advancement to Chief Petty Office In April 1992, he transferred back to USS Orion (AS 18) as Main Propulsio Division ' s Leading Chief Petty Officer. He qualified Engineering Officer of the Watc and was responsible the 50-year-old ship successfully completing its first Operatio Propulsion Plant Inspection. In April 1993, USS Orion changed homeport to Norfoll Virginia, for decommissioning. In April 1993. he crossdecked to USS Simon Lake (AS 33), homeported in L Maddalena, Italy, to complete his mandatory two-year DoD overseas tour. He qualifie Engineering Officer of Watch for the third time, giving him an Engineering Officer of th Watch qualification on all three engineering platforms, gas turbine, diesel, and steait After his advancement to Senior Chief Petty Officer, he transferred to th Administrative Department and was placed in charge of th Command Sponsor and Indoctrination Divisions. After hi advancement to Master Chief Petty Officer, he was selected t participate in the Command Master Chief program. In February 1999, he reported to the U.S. Navy Senic Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduatioi he was assigned to USS La Salle (AGF 3), home ported in Gaet; Italy, as the Command Master Chief. In addition to numerous unit and service awards, his person military decorations include the Navy Commendation Med (three awards). Navy and Marine Coips Achievement Medal (for awards), and Good Conduct Medal (six awards). Q inira33Elil: ASAN Craig Yaskow AN Jeffrey Bray ABFAN Robert Fuller ay or night, hot or cold. La Salle s Air epartment ensures that flight opera- ons are done without incident. Air is ohahly the most colorful department n board. Blue shirts ensure that the blicopters are safely chocked and lained; purple shirts keep the birds assed; green shirts take care of support quipment, white shirts are safety and ledical, firefighters wear red and the 2llow shirts, the landing signal en- sted, choreograph it all. CW02 ln hiiel Evan.s AMI l AW i Jeffrey Martin Alii 2 Rodney Houston as: MarUm Mendoza ABH3 Aaron Juravel ABH.i Angela Maxwell AS3 Steven Scott ABH3 Jonard Sygaco LCDR Kevin Muir Air Boss ABFC(A W SW) Benjamin Marshall Air Dept. LCPO CE Electronics IC Shop LTJG Michael Yelanjian ETCS(SW) Wes Kirby I TC(SW) Dave Hard ETJ(SW) Pedro Ballesteros ET1 Adam Belcher ICI(SW) Jerry ( ' arrillo ETl(SW) Karl (jerhards ETl(SW) David Hambleton ET1 Richard Jefferson ET1 Gregory Jensen ET2(SW) Nathan Cunningham omms Communications. A flagship like La Salle can ' t live without them. And, with the advent of the computer age. Comms definitely holds some serious power on the ship. CE Division takes care of elec- tronics repair, the ship ' s telephone sys- tem and even fixing the SITE-TV sys- tem. CR is responsible for radio and all computer systems on La Salle. LCDR Ariel T Communicath irrago ns Officer ITCM(SWZAW) Jerita Kearm Comms l.CPO p ' ■  B ET2(SW) Kalhi n I unil ET2(SW) Matthew Smith ET3 Bi Beiderbecke In 20 years, what will you remember most about your tour on I a Salle? AG3 Collin Evans Three months in Malta with cold showers, hard work and parties seven davs a week. ' YN1 Cynthia Rosado This is my first sea tour, so I ' ll remember seeing nothing but wa- ter all around us and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. LTJG David Schaus The wide variety of ports we visited. I had the opportunity to visit places and meet people that most only read about. SH3 Elnnyjoy Sison Cleaning stations every morning. ET3 Damian Predota ETSN Andrew Dolinger 1 ' ; - f ETSN Jaime Greene ETSN Benjamin Krauss ICFN Antonio Maisonet ICFN Ruber! Mara ICFN Charles Ortiz ETSN Bradley Redlinger IT1 Patrick Colin. ' , ITl(SW) Thane Darley IT! Leroy McClain ITl(SW) Steve McLaughlin 111 Paul Miller ITl(SW) Russell Peterman irnsw) Yolanda Rivera ITl(SW) Kevin Ratcliffe III Miller West m Richard Anthony 172 Sedwick Antoine IT2(SW J Joseph Worley IT3 Peter Barnes IT3(SW) Martin Beidleman c c c 1 James Green 1TSN Jason Moskwa A II ] Seth Chave: IT3 Anthom Fields IT3 Joseph Frost IT3 Germain Metayer 1T3 Gregory Morgan IT3 Frank Nunez IT3(SW) Kevin Rodrausungi IT3 Ricardo Segarra CDR Jeffrey Dreiwitz : rst Lieutenant [teck La Salle couldn ' t exist without Deck Department. Broke into three divi- sions. First and Second takes care of jetty much the entire outside of the ship and a pod amount inside. The boatswain ' s mates of le two divisions also take care of all the ship ' s mall boats. Third Division, made of gunner ' s :ates and fire controlmen, are responsible for le ship ' s weapons systems. TJG David Walker Ship ' s Boatswain First Lieutenant BMCM(SW) Michael Miller l)c,k Dept. LCPO LTJG David Edens, lst 2ndDiv. Office) BMl(SW) Gregory Hawks Dept. LPO BMl(SW) John Arrindel BM3 Ttmothx Bridwell BM3 Gregory Nelson SN Michael Bicnnenian SN .lose Henriqueztejada SN Tyeem Keen SN Jesse Lawrence ' H s Dannie Saw er SN David Sturdivant 2nd BM2(SW) William Combs, LPO SN Hugo lire nun SN Lubenow SN Ralph Matthews SN Chilian McDonald SK3 ( ' huku inna Okoye BM2(SW) Donlin Dow, Asst. LPO SN Heather Green S ' , Matthew Hasch K i ri 3rd Armory CIWS 1 m s.x Lawrence McCardli SN Ivan Mendoza SN Nicholas Montanez SN ( ' hristian Moil:. in SN L cm rice Pattersi vi s Lilian Piedra SN Charles Simpson GMC(SW) Ted Her lo GM2 J( shna Jensenlarge GM2(SW) Ranu n Stripling GM3 Patrick Bt imeman FC3 Christt ipher Br ant GM3 . . so ; Westrup GMSN Bobb) Board GMSN Murk Bradle I ( 3 T si ui Hunl GM3 ( hi is I ' In miner FC3(SW) ( atherine Spruill GM3 .fumes i mdenhue i cl 56 Engineering La Salle can ' t do much of anything without Engineering Department. Want the ship to steam somewhere? Call the engineers. Need lights ' 7 Call them. too. Not enough air con- ditioning? Too much air conditioning? Yep. The engineers are there. Engineers provide drinking water, flushing water, chill water or even the electrical juice. They light fires in the nearly 40-year-old boilers and fight those fires that aren ' t supposed to be. If it moves, shakes, rattles or rolls on La Salle, you can be sure that Engineering personnel have had something to do with it. CW03 Lex Koppert, MPA LCDR James Talbot Chief Engineer A l, IC 71 1(S Y)i lark Bvnnin m Engineering Dept. LCPO EN3 Ro Slichenmyer EN3(SW) JamaJ Stinson MM3 Cliff Williams FN Durrelle Callowa) ENFN Daniel Con i FN Timoth) Dabbelt FN Samuel Da) FN Fen wick FN Joseph Smith MM FN Lucas Stone FN Tadarryl Thomas I Jose Vusquez ENS Joseph Corcoran EMCS(SW) Edgar Narciso EMl(SW) Gum Fernandez EMl(SW) Ramiro Tobar EM2(SW) Michael Cardenas EM2(SW) Allan David EM2 Anthony Gesitele EM2(SW) Daniel Giordano EM2 S tan i si a w Gromadzki EM2(SW) Andrew Laurent EM 2 . 4 nth ' ii i .-I lalimsuez IMJl.SW SWCt • iin n in S.i iii hi : EM2(SW i Peter .mil ih M ? Thomas ( ' leurwntcr H---B % s ■ . r v.su v Noel Deguzman MMC(SW) Ponciano Infante MMI(SW) Keith Bennett MMl(SW) Maurice Tin impkins MM2(SW) JohnCogley MM2(SW) Da i id Rupp mm: Ja ier Wasana MM 3 Andrew Bumette MM3 Landon Brown MM J Gerald Hutchinson MM3 Erik ft thnsti me MM3(SW) Charles Liebl MM3 Michael Mason MM3 Gregt vi Michailiuk MM3 Kenneth Perez MM3 Ernest Smith MM3 Tru i is Tul i ck MM3 Ryan Viator MM3 .A e I itale FN A hn Burl h ma I A Kenneth Dubt )js I Jermaine Johnson MMFN Lmw ood Km nh t MMFN Christi pher Perry MMFN Jeremy Rc m ci MMFN Dunny Roadlander FN Stephen Watkins MMFN Nick Ziegler MMC(SW) David Fitzgerald MMI(S 7A ) Tesus Aguilera MMl(SW) Ed Grubb MMl(SW) Dii i id Hippensteel SCfcJ! a MM2(SU i Johnathan Dean MM2 ( ' hris McC ' ormick MM3(SVi ) Kateryna Bezyachna MM3 Jason Bradford MM3 Kc in Carey ' A- . Is- .«. .-- ' 1 -t k v U MM3(SW) Tremaine Holden MMFN Andrew Hurless MM3 Johnathan Justus MM3 Jason Mamschak MM3 Jeffrey Morgan ■ -9 ■ s Andrew Brandon I Jeremy Burns MMFN John Cogswell FN Quinc) Heard What will be your favorite memory of living in Italy? MMC(SW) Noel Deguzman Rome and the Vatican with the Sistine Chapel, the arts arid the Pope. SH3 Nicole Fuget The club life, my friends and the great food. SN(SW) Bob Sansevere Vatican City. First, it ' s the Vatican, where the Pope lives. The history of it all is nice and it ' s in a beautiful part of the city and is easy to get to. LTJG Sharon Boyd Standing in the pi- lot house watching the sun rise, illumi- lH nating the pictur- esque town of Gaeta and the mountains. 1 1 J 1 k. : l 1 FN William Keadle Ernest Neal FN Henry Simrrn ms FN Marcus Thomas MMFN Michael Thompsoi FN Michael Tunstall FN Joshua U liner FN Adam icken Eduardo ill.ih bi l lhs I ( ' harlie Brown Icrcni) Osgatharp Machine Shop HT Shop DC Shop LT William Abbott IX 7 Johnathan I ' aw In 1 HT2ISW) Jason Pittman H JiSW , Shawn Recktenwald IX 3 Jason Avers DC3 Aaron Breidenslein HT3 cslr Deckard DC3 Hit hard Lane HT3(SW) Terrell Roberson m v ,1 I MM FN Jon Albanese MRFN James Gariitz FN David Gibson FN Bennie Green FN William St. Clair HTFN Billy Terrell I Kevin Waten 1 uTwQf HM1(SW NAC) Theresa Meisenhaldet HM2(SW) William Cook HM2(FMF) Joel Sario HM2 Robert Wagenman HM3 Karren Colobong HM3 Clhuivs Geiger HM3 Michael Richards LI Jennifer Almy Medical Officer HMC(SW) Dawn Fusion Medical LCPO Medical La Salle s Medical Department takes care of all of the crew ' s and staff ' s aches and pains. But they ' re not just there for Motrin and ban- dages, they man up battle dressing stations during GQ and mass casualties, take and pro- cess x-rays, fill prescriptions, do lab work on blood and even check sanitary conditions throughout the ship to ensure the continued health of the crew. iM DTHSW AW) I ' It mm idIiih oln Him las Dl i i Akwasi Pokuamanfo DN Jason Bentley DN Daniel Knsiak Detal Not all the broad smiles on board are because of the port visits. La Salle ' s Dental has a lot to do with it, too. Made up of D-Doc and a few dental techs, they are respon- sibility for all of La Salle s dental readiness. They also are part of La Salle s emergency medical team for mass casualties. CDR Steven Headman Denial Officer yDsn t Air, surface sub-surface Operations Department really covers everything from top to bottom; Op- erations Specialiasts man radars to track all air and surface contacts in the area and the EWs make sure that Nixie is streamed, hopefully ensuring we don ' t take a torpedo hit. The QMs make sure we ' re on track and the Sig- nalmen use flags, pennants or flash- ing liehts to set our message across. LT Anthony D ' Alessandn ENS Brian Thomas OSC(SW) Michael Fisher OSl(SW) Jack Dearth fSl(SW) Carlos I- lores EWl(SW) Thien Nguyen ITl(SW) Lenny Vazquez EW2(SW) Jeremy Daub OS2(SW) Eric Hubbell OS2(SW) Lisa Lee LCDR Kevin Parker Operations Officer EWCS(SW) Thomas Albant Operations LCPO 0S2(SW) Domingo Sifuentes EW2(SW) Delink Washington 0S3 Dominique Gonzales 0S3 Annabelle Vasquez )SS Eric Chamberlain OSSN Charles Vance Sig Nav IK, Sharon Bo d ENS David Schaus SMl(SW) Malcolm Schneider SM2 John ( ' onley QM2 Tamara Dawley QM2 Elishau Dotson QM2(SW) Jim Lindeman SM2 Daniel Lope: QM2 Melanie McDaniel SM2 David Proi tor SM2(SW AW) Lorenzo Young SMJ Darrell Dedeaux SM3(SW) James Gibbs SMs Donald Edwards SMJ Minette Pxlant SMSN Joao Vasconcelos n c %o f I w n Supply has proven themselves day in and day out, in port and at sea. During 2001 La Salle ' s Supply Department has survived -- and ex- celled -- in the Supply Management Assess- ment, Supply Management Inspection, Inspec- tion and Survey, and the Capt. Edward F. Ney award inspection. Supply is divided into five divisions S-l, Stock Control; S-2. Food Ser- vice; S-3, Sales; S-4 Disbursing and S-5, Wardroom. CDR Michael B. Bohn Supply Officer Stock Control Postal Hazmat MSCS(SW) John Sha Supply LCPO LT Dana Niemela Siock Control FSO SKC(SW) John Elliott SKl(SW) Brad Williams MM1 Dione Guarizo PC2 Tiffany Brumfield SK2(SW) Tyrone Evers SK3 Merris Blacknell SK3(SW) Anton Perry SK3 Marlon Rohmson PC3(SW) Shane Williams S-2 S-5 Food service r ■ r 1 B 1 1 MK..TJ LTJGErika Fugere FSO Stoch Control MSC(SW) Richard ( ' Inn MSQSW AW) Carlos Mora BM1 Steve Martinez MSl(SW) Willie Murdoch MSl(SW) Chris Vozella MS2 Christopher ( ' lines MS2 Damon Henderson I- A Ship ' s store Barber shop Laundry MS3 Patrick Dunn MS3 Dan Margies MS3 Thomas McNulty MS3 Jodv Rozanek MS3 Chad Shaner MS3 Anthony Worley MSSN John Miller MSSN Adam Murphy ENS Lonnie Burks SHl(SW) Joseph Krol SHI(SW) Timothy Morris SH2 William Conkle HI Disbursing SH3 Ba ilex A reel la SH3 Nicole Filler SH3 Dennis Madriz SH3 Travis Smith SH3(SW) G.T. Wade SHSN Joseph Job OKI Scott Titterud DK3(SW) Mario ' oner DKSN Suresh Sukhraj K gA Chaplain (LCDR) Robert Law rence EMCS(SU I I in lliilu lit ! fSW SCW) Anthony llen JOC(SW) Jason Clnnh PNC(SW) Jay Steffenhagen YNl(SW) Frederick Ewing J01 Greg Cleghorne RP1 Susan Garrow WAl(SW) Michael Knochel I ' M Mark Swierski J02(SW) Sean l.invill -filers Executive Division is made up ot the Admin. Personnel. Master-at-Arms, SITE-TV. Career Counselor and the Chaplain ' s Offices. The division is ltjg Heath Kridi responsible for everything from Admm0 ffi cer church services to service records to recorded movies for TV. YNC Ray Delgado Admin LCPO h ►1 V f j n filers YNSN Tamica Scott Sum Davis Pace Instructor -■- ' - ' - - (37 f- I  u V uss La Salle and Sixth Pleat staff ZD -Ji— r CD El_ CD El_ aa E=5 El_ f C31 Editor: JOC(SW) Jason Chud Cruisebook staff: JOl(SW) Jason Thompson JO 1 Greg Cleghorne J02(SW) Sean Linvill PH2 Todd Reeves Photographers: MSgt. Blake Borsie. USAF JOCA1 Bloom JOl(SW) Jason Thompson JOl Greg Cleghorne PH2 Paul Phelps J02(SW)Sean Linvill J02 Cody Wassmann PH2 Todd Reeves J02 Alyssa Batarla J03 Jason Perry Sixth Fleet Public Affairs Office CDR Bob Ross LCDR Nick Balice JOC Al Bloom JO 1 ( S W ) Jason Thompson PH2 Paul Phelps J02 Cody Wassmann J02 Alyssa Batarla J03 Jason Perry USS La Salle MWR Officers LTJG Abby Scandlen LTJG Brian Thomas Additional photography provided by ETl(SW) David Hambleton HMC(SW) Dawn Fuston IS2 Kevin Schiele DN Daniel Kusiak LTJG Sharon Boyd IT2 Howard Babcock LT Jennifer Almv Luxembourg FRANCE GERMANY ' rfMBT. T . w V3 aag. Tur,n -j : j, ., ,, • ■•l% $ ' « •■ j - ' .iwn Marino. Monaco CORSIC (FRANCE) Frot nftft, life Rome ■ ' !i. -v Lisbon PORTUGAL MAJORCA Valencia Talma : . L9 Maddalena SARDI • ■ ■ Tyrrhenian Sea SPAIN ; ' ' ., ■- ITAL  Cifa, Strait of Gibraltar Rota v . ;. .- Gibraltar (UK) Algiers .,._. a g Tunis Palermo ■ ■■-■■ SICI fcluta Raba Casablanca : J MOROCCO { ' A ALGERIA TUNISIA r Trip T ' , ( ZECH ' ( ' PUBLIC SLOCAK.A Bratislava =nna • ■.■ MA Budapest HUNGARY UKRAINE Chisinau Odessa r-uv, Zagreb . BOSNIA- -i HERZEGOVINA Sarajevo •Belgrade; ROMANIA Bucharest , ■-.,- if. MOLDOVA ■STConstanta ••Split KL ' SSIA . SERBIA :_■ ' ■ ' Sofia . BULGARIA Va m a ' - ; - % awf ■ v TiranaL 5. fe.7 ' - ... £ . ' StAC ' EpgNjfiC - . -- ' . „ s ' - 4 jrrf ' ' •• ' ' .Istanbul ALBANIA k .■ ' • ■■■ ' - « ■ Black Sea «  ? j ' 3l ' ■ Aegean .v- ®K|eCE - ; , Ankara ? J ;■_:%?;. J Ionian Sea ' ' WPk. r TURKEY 4 JLS; . Mt, ■ if 3L Athens - J • ' - letta TA 1 Irjklion ' CRETE Mediterranean Sea (Greece) Gulfof Sidra . , ' , ' ' ' ' ■ ' Alexandria Nicosia 7 SYRIA CYPRUS Be T 5fe ' - LEBANON DamaSCUS LIBYA Tel Aviv jra . 4 - ISRAEL fcftf.alcn . - Port Said ,- ; i..i ' - ' SuezC ufal lORDAN - — EGYPT ?«